The University daily. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 18??-????, 1887-06-09
CHARACTER SIX ETCHEs
Prominent University Nee Their
Lives, Characteristics
and Works.
sketch of the Life vi Brt. Capt. Ii. Il. ]
Pierce, il us. Al.
BY ]. HOP S3sYooDs.

day Of 1884, and died
on the 18th day Of July, 1883, at
Foster Greek, Washington Territory.
AT the time of his death he was
in command Of an exploring party,
by authority of the government,
through the unexplpred region from
Old Fort Colville, on the upper Co
lumbia river to Puget Sound.
Exposures incidant TO the line Of
his duty during previous service and
upon this expedition were the imme-
diate causes Of his death.
II seems sad thing that one 50
bright as Captain Pierce was known
to be should end lis sweet life in
such a trackless waste. His nature
was full of love aid life, and vet he
went where he was ordered.
His not to reason why,
His not to make reply,
His not to do and die
It was the solace of his end, no
doubt, that he .died at his post.
He loved to do bis duty. He be-
lieVed in discipline and in unques-
toned obedience. AS he himself
never faltered in the hour of danger
or Of death, but calmly met the grim
monster. as his last enemy-but the
one wha should give him eternal
peace % every one, soldiers or pu-
pills, Wha came within the Influence
Of his presence felt the iron will Of
discipline in an instant. And yet
he was such a tender man. He low
ed the beautiful, The good. He in
stinctiyely leaned toward the soft
and manly pupilsHof his class, He
studied the bright boys from their
rustic homes to see, perchance, the
signs of intellect, HIf one was orderly
and studious, or oBservant and neat,
or quiet and sensitive, Captain
Pierce was his friend. He loved to
watch the unfolding of the human
mind, and learned with a compass
sionate and plying ear to catch and
aid-perhaps too much the sttug-
giles Of the untutored sense. But if
one was sluggish and sloven, or list
less and idle, or vain and stubborn,
Captain Pierce had not love for him.
How he frightened at a neat alge-
braic or geometic figure on the
black board by q new student; Or
smiled at the mathematical instinct
Of a pupil who shot in direct lines a
croquet ball? And how, with pity
ing scorn, he watched the laundering
parrot-like repetition of the figures
on the diagram, or the stumbling
error Of an. awkward stroke Of the
mallet. \ II r.. IA ~ t..I
'sHis life was gentle; and the ele-
ID ments r. III - + I
So mix d in him that nature might
stand up r.. III III. ..EIE Ny
And say to all the world, This was
a mani" NJ I HI
But in this brief space it is i'm
possible to give even a just epitome
Of the life: and character Of Captain
Pierce. He deserves at the Univer-
sity a monument to his memory. He
was there as Instructor in Mathe-
maticsI and Military Tactics from
1869 to 1874 Only a painting com
memorates our love. 4 III III + II
He has already,aby his life, in the
hearts of, his classes, and in the
memory Of his college confreres IN.
&c K reared a memorial more last
ing than brass; Fl.
More majestic to view than thepyra-
mids rise. .Il
Ger the ashes Of kings. Nor the
years as they pass III
In the cycles intending OF time as it
flies.
Nor the pitiless rain, nor the rude
northern blast
Shall destroy the proud column : ~ ~
Captain Pierce was graduated at
Trinity College at the age Of pa.
He entered the army as Sergeant Of
Company IA, 4th Connecticut In
fantry, il May, 1861, and rose
through successive promotions for
conspicuous gallantry'' to the rank
Of Major in 1865. IA October, 1867,
though not a graduate Of the Mill
tary Academy, be was appointed .
End Lieutenant in the us. Army.
His services the nceHWere varied, AS
Superintendent d4 Education il Lou
isana under Major General %. %
Howard, as detail to different State
Colleges, as Instructor of Military
Tactics; as Adjutant Of his regi-
ment, the 21st Infantry as an officer
II, command IL the lannon's nrlrs11it